Willie Fridie

WILLIE FRIDIE, JR. was born on February 28, 1934 in Blacksburg, South Carolina, an only child to the late Willie & Minnie Lee (Cory) Friday, Sr. Willie entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, October 1st at Seton Future Care. Willie’s parents migrated to Newport News, Virginia to earn better wages for their family. For a short while until they got settled, they left Willie with his maternal grandmother. At the tender of 13 he reunited with his parents, and moved to Newport News, Virginia where he matriculated in the Newport News School System. Willie graduated from Huntington High School in Newport News, Virginia. Shortly thereafter, Willie enlisted and served in the United States Air Force for three years. After being honorably discharged from the United States Air Force, he enrolled in college at Norfolk State University in Norfolk, Virginia. While at Norfolk State, Willie met and married Barbara Burnette Fulgham, and from this union three children were born - two sons, Gregory Karl, Gerald Sebastian, and one daughter Ginna Maria. Subsequently, after fourteen years, the marriage ended in divorce. Willie decided that it was best for his growing family to move to Baltimore, Maryland with his maternal aunts, where he could earn higher wages, as most people did in the South in that day and time. Willie met and married the love of his life Joyce Edwards on April 11, 1975. Willie and Joyce built an incredible life together spanning over fifty years, and forty-nine of those years married! Willie was employed as a certified welder for Bethlehem Steel Company. A few years later Willie became employed at the Baltimore Gas & Electric (BG&E), where he worked for over twenty years. Willie was not only one of the first African-Americans to become a welder for Baltimore Gas & Electric, he was also the absolute BEST! After retirement, Willie enjoyed and took great pride in completing projects and odd jobs around Baltimore City for his clients. Later in life Willie was blessed with another daughter Colynn LaValle, whom he developed an extra special relationship with over the years. Reflections of Life Willie was an avid Jazz Lover and a Master Griller! Willie was a true momma’s boy! He loved his mother endlessly! Every year Willie hosted a Birthday Cook-out for his mother until God called her home at the ripe age of 98! Willie leaves to cherish his precious memory: his devoted and loving wife of over forty-nine years, Joyce Fridie; two sons, Gregory Fridie and Gerald (Teresa) Fridie; two daughters, Ginna Mitchell and Colynn (Willie) Pearce McCullough; fifteen grandchildren, Carl, Kiara, Jessica, Tyrell, Craig, Keon, Chanel, Miles, Casey, Celene, Tamu, Tahira, Aaron, Cheryl, Tamiya, and eight great-grandchildren; a special godson, Tim Randolph; his beautiful nieces, Maureen Harry, Manisha Harry, Joan Jones, Marie Sydnor; a handsome nephew, Raymond Harry; a very special god sister, Ms. Mary Shand; and a host of other family members and friends.

Tributes

Willie Fridie

February 28, 1934 - October 1, 2024